Ammunition magazine stabilizing device

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a device that attaches to the bottom of a rifle or pistol magazine and is used to improve stability and provide support while in use. One embodiment comprises a front wall, a bottom, opposing side walls with grooves, and an open top end, which collectively form a pocket operable to receive and lock in place an ammunition magazine, wherein each groove is operable to receive the base of a typical ammunition magazine. A second embodiment comprises a front wall, a back wall, a bottom, and opposing side walls, which collectively form a pocket operable to receive a bottom portion of an ammunition magazine, wherein the walls of the device are elastic. For both embodiments, the bottom of the device is preferably curved and may include a tread pattern to improve traction and stabilization while in use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/720,017 filed Aug. 20, 2018. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates in general to the field of firearm accessories. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices designed to assist in the stabilization of firearms.

BACKGROUND

When using a rifle or pistol in tactical situations, it is always the goal of the soldier, police officer, or sportsman to have precision aim and hit its target. Often, rifle users will incorporate some form of a support tool that stabilizes their weapon while in use. This is especially true for rifles, which often are heavier and more difficult to hold steady while taking aim at a given target.

These stabilizing tools are well known in the prior art. For example, tripods and bipods have been used by rifle users for quite some time to stabilize their weapon. These free-standing supports allow the rifle user to easily adjust his aim by freely rotating the rifle on multiple axes. However, these tools are often bulky and contain several mechanical parts, which can be cumbersome and require significant time to put together.

Another example in the prior art is a replacement magazine base that clips onto the bottom of the rifle magazine. These devices are manufactured with a substantially flat bottom which is meant to be stabilized on a substantially flat surface. Although these devices are more manageable to carry and easier to use than the tripods and bipods, their utility is limited. Due to the flat surface of the boot, stabilization is greatly reduced—if not lost entirely—when the rifle user is forced to take aim on rougher, uneven terrain. Furthermore, the flat bottom surface restricts the user's ability to freely adjust his aim to account for multiple targets.

Additionally, when a rifle user is loading his magazine, he should ensure that the magazine is engaged. Generally, this requires the rifle user to forcefully hit the bottom of the magazine with the open palm of his hand. Since the base of rifle magazines traditionally consist of sharp angles, the base causes the rifle user discomfort during this process.

As such, there is a need for an easy-to-use, comfortable, and highly portable stabilization device that attaches to the base of the magazine and allows the user to steady his rifle on rough terrain while also providing the user with the flexibility to freely adjust his aim on different downfield targets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a device that attaches to the bottom of a rifle or pistol magazine to provide stability and support while in use.

One embodiment comprises a front wall, a bottom, opposing side walls with grooves, and an open top end, which collectively form a pocket operable to receive and lock in place an ammunition magazine. For this embodiment, each groove is operable to receive the base of a typical ammunition magazine.

A second embodiment comprises a front wall, a back wall, a bottom, and opposing side walls, which collectively form a pocket operable to receive a bottom portion of an ammunition magazine. In order to allow the magazine to be inserted into the pocket and for the device to retain a secure hold on the magazine, it is anticipated that the walls of the device be manufactured using materials with elastic properties.

For both embodiments, the bottom of the device is preferably curved and may include a tread pattern to improve traction and stabilization while in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is front view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is back view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an ammunition magazine with the magazine spring in the disengaged position.

FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows the magazine spring of an ammunition magazine being compressed to allow installation of the first embodiment of present invention.

FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present invention installed on an ammunition magazine

FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention installed on an ammunition magazine.

FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a tool being inserted through the aperture in the bottom of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use by a rifleman.

FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16A. FIG. 16A is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B. FIG. 16B is a back view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a perspective bottom view of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention installed on an ammunition magazine.

FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention installed on an ammunition magazine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The device comprises a front wall 10, a bottom 20, opposing side walls 30, and an open top end 40, which collectively form a pocket 50 operable to receive and lock in place an ammunition magazine 60 (as shown in FIGS. 8-12). For this embodiment, each of the opposing side walls further comprises a groove 70 that extends longitudinally along a length of each side wall 30; each groove 70 is operable to receive the base 80 of a typical ammunition magazine 60 (as shown in FIGS. 7-8). A typical ammunition magazine 60 has a base 80 wherein the edges of the base protrude slightly beyond the walls of the ammunition magazine 60; it is these protrusions (which appear to resemble rails when viewing the ammunition magazine 60 from the front or back) at the base 80 that are received by the grooves 70 in the opposing side walls 30.

The preferred embodiment of the device preferably has a curved bottom 90, as shown in the figures. The curved bottom 90 of the device allows the rifle to be stabilized on any terrain, while also giving the rifle user the flexibility to freely adjust his aim to account for multiple or moving downfield targets. Additionally, when the magazine 60 is installed, it is customary for the user to secure the magazine 60 into the rifle or pistol by forcefully slapping the base 80 of the magazine 60, usually with the open palm of his or her hand. By making the bottom 20 of the device curved 90, it provides a pleasant surface for the user's hand during this process.

Additionally, the bottom 20 surface may further comprise a tread pattern 100 to further increase stability and traction between the device and the external terrain.

This device is primarily manufactured using rigid polymers or plastics through the process of injection molding, however, other known processes and materials of similar properties can be used to give the device its rigid shape.

Turning to FIGS. 7 and 8, the magazine 60 is installed into the device by pressing down on the magazine spring 110 while simultaneously sliding the base 80 of the magazine 60 through the grooves 70 of the device until the magazine 60 contacts the front wall 10 of the device. The rebutting force of the spring 110 against the bottom 20 of device locks the device into place.

Turning to FIG. 5, the bottom 20 of the device may further comprise an aperture 120. This aperture 120 allows the user to disengage the device from the magazine 60 by inserting a device 130, e.g. a cylindrical tool (as seen in FIG. 11), through the aperture 120 to push the magazine spring 110 beyond the longitudinal grooves 70, which allow the device to freely slide off of the base 80 of the magazine.

Another embodiment of the present device is shown in FIGS. 13-19. For this embodiment, the device comprises a front wall 140, a back wall 150, a bottom 160, and opposing side walls 170, which collectively form a pocket 180 that is accessible through an open top end 190. Here, the pocket 180 is operable to receive a bottom portion of an ammunition magazine 60, including a pistol and/or rifle magazine. In order to allow the magazine 60 to be inserted into the pocket 180, it is anticipated that the walls of the device be manufactured using materials with elastic properties. The elasticity of the walls allows the user the needed flexibility to stretch the walls to allow insertion of the magazine through the open top end 190; the elasticity of the walls will further provide a secure hold on the magazine 60 after insertion.

Similar to the other embodiment, the bottom 160 is preferably curved 200 and may include a tread pattern 210. The bottom 160 may be integrally formed with the walls to form a unitary piece or may be attached separately using an adhesive or other means of attachment known in the art. The bottom 160 is preferably manufactured using materials having properties that are slip-resistant and rigid or semi-rigid, e.g. synthetic or natural rubbers and polymers.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A stabilizing device comprising: a front wall; a bottom; opposing side walls each comprising grooves extending longitudinally along a length of the side walls; and an open top end; wherein the front wall, opposing side walls, and bottom are connected to form a pocket, wherein the grooves are operable to receive and lock in place the base of an ammunition magazine.
 2. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the walls and bottom are molded together.
 3. The stabilizing device of claim 2 wherein the walls and bottom are rigid.
 4. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the bottom is curved.
 5. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the bottom comprises a treaded surface.
 6. The stabilizing device of claim 5 wherein the treaded surface is made from synthetic or natural rubbers or polymers.
 7. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the bottom further comprises an aperture, wherein said aperture is operable to receive a tool used to disengage the spring of a magazine from the device.
 8. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the pocket is operable to receive a rifle ammunition magazine.
 9. The stabilizing device of claim 1 wherein the pocket is operable to receive a pistol ammunition magazine.
 10. A stabilizing device comprising: a front wall; a back wall; a bottom; opposing side walls; and an open top end; wherein the front wall, back wall, opposing side walls, and bottom form a pocket that is accessible through the open top end, wherein the pocket is operable to receive the base of an ammunition magazine.
 11. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the walls of the device are elastic.
 12. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the walls of the device are semi-rigid.
 13. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the bottom is curved.
 14. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the bottom comprises a treaded surface.
 15. The stabilizing device of claim 14 wherein the treaded surface is made from synthetic or natural rubbers or polymers.
 16. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the pocket is operable to receive a rifle magazine.
 17. The stabilizing device of claim 10 wherein the pocket is operable to receive a pistol magazine. 